System for eliminating short and latent short circuit current paths in photovoltaic devices
First Claim
1. A system for actuating potential short circuits and then eliminating the actuated and existing short circuit current paths through a photovoltaic device of the type including a semiconductor region overlying a substrate having an interface surface opposite said substrate and a layer of transparent conductive material overlying said semiconductor region interface surface, said potential and existing short circuit current paths extending from the substrate through the semiconductor region to said interface surface, said system comprising:
- bias means for applying a bias to said device to convert latent potential short circuits to existing short circuit current paths;
detecting means for detecting the location of said short circuit current paths; and
resistivity increasing means for increasing substantially the resistivity of said short circuit current paths selectively at the interface surface of said semiconductor region.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for detecting and eliminating latent and existing short circuit current paths through photovoltaic devices of the type including at least one semiconductor region overlying a substrate and a layer of conductive light transmissive material overlying the at least one semiconductor region are disclosed. The latent paths are first converted to existing short circuit current paths by applying a bias voltage to the devices. The short circuit current paths which are eliminated extend through the at least one semiconductor region from the substrate to the layer of conductive light transmissive material. The resistivity of the short circuit current paths is increased substantially at the interface between the conductive light transmissive material and the semiconductor region by isolating electrically the conductive light transmissive material from the short circuit current path.
The isolation can be provided by removing the transparent conductive material from electrical contact or connection with the short circuit current path. The isolation also can be provided by depositing a body of insulating material onto the semiconductor region over an area including a short circuit current path prior to the deposition of the conductive light transmissive material. Further, the short circuit current path can be detected and located by applying a voltage to discrete areas of the device through a conductive solution which path then can be eliminated as described above.
33 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A system for actuating potential short circuits and then eliminating the actuated and existing short circuit current paths through a photovoltaic device of the type including a semiconductor region overlying a substrate having an interface surface opposite said substrate and a layer of transparent conductive material overlying said semiconductor region interface surface, said potential and existing short circuit current paths extending from the substrate through the semiconductor region to said interface surface, said system comprising:
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bias means for applying a bias to said device to convert latent potential short circuits to existing short circuit current paths; detecting means for detecting the location of said short circuit current paths; and resistivity increasing means for increasing substantially the resistivity of said short circuit current paths selectively at the interface surface of said semiconductor region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification